Show the Love

This is just a fast little post to let you see what I'm working on at this moment. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in what I'm creating that I don't stop to blog. Well not anymore! I'll be sending out short posts with pictures and no pressure to be witty, charming, or even intelligent. Hey I think I can do that. So these are some of the projects that I'm working on for next month. Do you like?

I'm Featured in Cloth Paper Scissors 2012 Calendar

I was so pleased to find out last February that I had been chosen to be in the CPS 2012 calendar. I must have checked my computer 50 times on the day the 13 winning names were to be  released. The names were finally posted at 5 pm that night. By that time I had pulled all my hair out. I was so excited to see my name on the list. My family, dog included did a happy dance all around the house. Next came the wait to see the finished calendar and my placement in it. I thought that since the art was white and monochromatic, it would probably be a winter month. The day finally came and a 12x12 inch cardboard box was dropped on my front door. I knew what was in it, and couldn't wait to get it open. So there I was, December and so happy. My husband likes to say he married a calendar girl. Yes, he was pretty proud. I recently contacted Barb at CPS, and asked if the calendar theme for 2013 had been released. I was sad to find out that they aren't producing a calendar next year. But I have still been busy creating a few art pieces to submit this year. I would like to encourage others to submit artwork to be published this year. It takes some time, but is well worth it. Check the back of your favorite magazines for their guidelines and get to work. If you are looking for my journal giveaway, scroll down one post. Happy New Year and Happy Creating.

100 Follower Giveaway

Wow, I'm so excited, I thought this day would never get here, but here I am with my 100 follower giveaway. I stopped my vintage garland giveaway a few days early, hope you don't mind. The winner of that giveaway is Meghan at Love Petunia.  I love having giveaways, as artists we end up with so much finished art. A giveaway is a great way to bless someone, while meeting new friends. So let's get on with it. This is a handmade journal, very vintage. The cover is 8 x 10 inches, so it is a nice big book. It is machine and hand sewn. There are several clear pockets to fill with treasures, and plenty of blank paper to fill with your thoughts. To enter this drawing, leave a comment, join as a follower, or post it on your sidebar. CONGRATS TO LISA, YOU ARE THE WINNER OF THE 100 FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY  How cool is that! Thanks to everyone that wrote comments. I love to hear from what you have to say.

Serendipity Christmas

"What is Serendipity?" you ask. Serendipity is a little slice of heaven located in the Village of Arroyo Grande, Ca. It is a fabulous home and garden store, that always looks great, but at Christmas time it is dressed in it's holiday best. I love this store and the people associated with it. They carry a lot of my artwork, but I would still love them even if they didn't. If you live on the Central Coast of California, or come for a visit, stop by and say hi.

Vintage Garland Tutorial And Giveaway

Turn your fabric scraps into beautiful garland

This garland was born from a scrappy scarf,  that a friend gave me. I've made them in all kinds of colors, but this color combination is my favorite. My second favorite is a mixture of bright colored fabric and ribbon. Each garland is 6 feet long, but you can easily tie them end to end, for any length you need. I had so much fun with my last giveaway, that I wanted to have another.  I would love to give away 2 six foot garlands to one lucky winner. To get your name in the drawing. Leave a comment, join as a new follower,  post about the project, or put it on your sidebar. Leave a comment for each one, so I can add you multiple times. I will draw a name on the 22nd of December. Luckily this garland looks nice year around, but I'll get it in the mail asap. I had to stop this giveaway a few days early, but checkout my 100 follower giveaway going on Dec 20-Jan 10th.
Congrats to Meghan at LOVEPETUNIA, you are the winner!

Twenty five finished garlands, part of a Christmas order for a local store. Click on pictures for larger view.

Garland displayed in my entryway at recent holiday show.

Garland on white Christmas tree.

The first step in making the garland, is cutting squares, lots and lots of squares. I cut 1 1/2 inch to 2 inch, they don't have to perfectly square. Lots of mine are more rectangle than square. The bigger they are however, the faster the construction of the garland is. I use burlap, muslin, fabric from sample books, old tea towels, wool, lace, any neutral colored fabric, even old clothes.

Cut a 6 foot piece if seam binding. Lay your first fabric square face down. Sandwich the seam binding between the first square and the next one that is face up. Mix up your squares, layer smaller ones on larger.Anything goes with this project.

Continue to sew your squares to your seam binding. I like to use sheet music, book pages, ribbon, wool, anything that adds texture and interest.

Layer shear ribbon here and there.

When you get to the end of your seam binding, you are finished with the first step of your garland.

Don't worry if you have spaces between some of your squares. You will be tying various ribbons and fabric between them that will hide the seam binding gap.

Cut 4-5 inch strips of fabric, lace, ribbon, yarn, seam binding or anything you think fits into the color theme.

I usually tie in between every three squares.

Ready for hanging

Happy Birthday Baby

Well, my angel girl is growing up. That old saying, "How time fly's when your having fun!" sure hits home today. Life with this sweet little girl has been pure joy, well almost. There have been a few yelling matches with her brother that I could have lived without. But for the most part, it has been a blast. I've always said that Annie was born a 30 year old woman, those that know her would have to agree. She's definitely the most mature and logical one in the family. She is kind, thoughtful, and self motivated. She is quiet and serious, but her sense of humor has really developed this year. She is not silly ha ha, like Austin, but when Annie says something funny, it's usually well thought out and hilarious. Annie I'm very proud of you, and even if you are now 12 years old, you will always be my baby girl. Love, Mom